Youth participation in Slovakia

1. Youth participation in Slovakia Basic facts Pupulation: 5 440 078 (June 2011) Area: 49 035 km² Populationdensity: 110,2 /km² Regions: 8 (Bratislavsky, Trnavsky, Nitriansky, Trencinsky, Banskobystricky, Zilinsky, Kosicky, Presovsky) Cities over 100,000: 2 (Bratislava, Kosice)

2. The youth participation in Slovak Republic non-formal education Participation Voluntarism Common understanding: Youth = people aged >30

3. National and international level INSTITUTIONAL SUPPORT IUVENTA - Slovak youth institute (state org.) (please, remember this) allowance organization of The Ministry of Education; Goal: implementation of the state`s policy Areas: participation, voluntarism, human rights, non-formal edu., inclusion Activities: education,concepts,information, research RMS – Youth Council of Slovakia (NGO) partner to the government, international org., European Youth Forum Students union of Slovakia (NGO) communication between the youth organizations and the government, educational seminars and trainings for high-school students) OTHER NGOs

4. National and international level LEGAL & CONCEPTIONAL SUPPORT Act for support of the work with children (2008) Provides a definition of: - who is a young leader (under 18) - who is a youth leader (over 18) - who is a youth worker Also declares, that all regions and local government institutions should support work with youth and children. Key areas and action plans of the state policy towards youth in Slovak republic in years 2008 – 2013 (please, remember this as well) Kľúčové oblasti a akčné plány štátnej politiky voči mládeži v Slovenskej republike na roky 2008 – 2013 Framework conception, which defines key areas and priorities of state`s and other subject`s fields of activity in 2008 - 2013

5. National and international level LEGAL & CONCEPTIONAL SUPPORT Action plan of youth policy of the Slovak Republic for 2010 - 2011 Akčný plán politiky mládeže SR na roky 2010 - 2011 Current action plan in youth policy, based on „Key areas … 2008-13“, which defines the contemporary priorities of the states policy towards children and youth. Action plans for certain year-periods go more into detail in definition of actual focus in youth policy. Every year new action plan is developed by working group focused at various fields (youth mobility, voluntarism, active citizenship,...) Act of voluntarism (2011) Provides a definition of voluntarism & volunteer. The Act also makes clear about who is entitled to be a recipient of voluntary activity. Other relevant European documents: White Paper on Youth, European Youth Pact, EU`s Strategt for youth, European framework of the youth policy, etc.

6. National and international level YOUTH AND ELECTIONS Active right to vote: 18 (every elections), Right to be elected: 18 (local & regional), 21 (national) No specific political party representing interests of youth. Intependent youth organizations (not necessarily apolitical – active contributors to the civil society) vs. Political youth organizations (each political party developes its youth organization, ideological orientations) Low participation rate of youth in elections. Possible reasons – lack of motivation, impact of older generation, no attractive topics (challenge for youth organizations)

7. Regional and local level CONCEPTIONS OF WORK WITH CHILDREN AND YOUTH – in several regions ZIPCEM – Association of youth information and advisory centers (NGO) Roof organization covering Youth information and advisory centers (NGOs). ZIPCEM`s ambition is to be a consulting partner for the Ministry of Edu. And state institutions. (contemporary ca 22 member centeres) REGIONAL YOUTH COUNCILS (NGOs) – in several regions e.g. Youth Council of The Presov Region, Youth council of Zilina Region Provide information service for its member org. = local youth organizations in the region. Areas: youth participation, active citizenship, human rights (e.g. Living libraries), voluntarism etc. General problem – missing conception or legal support on the regional level. No financial support from the regional government Situation differs from region to region.

8. Youth participation problems LACK OF PEER-TO-PEER ACTIVITES More peer-to-peer activities would possibly increase motivation of not active youngsters. PREJUDICIES OF OTHER PEOPLE Generalized opinion and sterotypical point of view of other people, who are not in touch with active youth. LOW LEVEL OF INFORMATION New projects, youth activities, not useful informing methods (always the same target group). LACK OF INTEREST IN YOUTH IDEAS AND OPINIONS From the side of political leaders as well as from other decisive institutions.

9. Youth participation examples About Regional Youth Council of Žilina (RMZK) Regional Youth Council of Žilina, founded in 2001, is an umbrella organisation for 55 youth associations, student councils and local youth parliaments. Our mission is to advocate young people’s interests, to create conditions for their professional and personal development and to organise networking and capacity building activities. www.rmzk.sk Regional Youth Council of Prešov Region (RMPK) E.g. In 2006 created The Youth Parliament of Presov – representative organization of the youth living in the city of Presov towards local government and city authorities. www.rmpk.sk